Taking care together for less CO2.
Note: The Dutch version prevails the English version.
ProRail works in a transparent, professional and socially-responsible manner to
ensure that the railway infrastructure is adequate, reliable and safe. We aim to be the
best railway network manager in Europe. This also applies in the field of safety and
environment.
As of 01 December 2009, ProRail will reward companies that produce in a climateconscious manner. We do this by awarding points in tendering procedures. In this
brochure you can read about how this works in practice.
Sustainable
The train is an environmentally-friendly means of transport and has an important social
function. To reinforce this, ProRail has an ambitious environmental policy with a specific
programme aimed at sustainability.
ProRail is implementing initiatives to make its products and their creation as sustainable as
possible. For example, we want to be as economical as possible with raw materials and
energy, and our staff are continuously looking for sustainable solutions to the questions that
arise at ProRail. ProRail is also engaged in the calculation of its own carbon footprint and will
be setting up a CO2 reduction programme. As part of this reduction programme, ProRail also
wants to encourage its suppliers to supply sustainable products and to manage their
businesses in a sustainable fashion.
In this context, ProRail has developed the CO2 performance ladder.
We have developed this instrument in order to challenge and encourage the companies that
participate in our tenders to become aware of and reduce their own CO2 production. In
concrete terms: the more effort a company makes to reduce CO2 the more chance that a
contract will be awarded.
The CO2 performance ladder
Levels and aspects
The CO2 performance ladder has six levels, rising from 0 to 5.
For each level, a company is given a place on the performance ladder based upon a fixed set
of requirements. These requirements stem from four aspects, each with its own weighting
factor.
Code
A
B
C
D
Description of aspect
Insight (into own carbon footprint)
CO2 reduction (recorded ambition)
Transparency (the manner in which a company communicates
about this internally and externally)
Participation in initiatives (the degree to which a company
collaborates with colleague companies in the field of CO2
reduction)
Weighting factor
40%
30%
20%
10%
The better the CO2 performance of a company, the higher is its position on the ladder. A
company fulfils the requirements of a certain level if (1) the minimum requirements for A, B, C
and D of the level in question and the requirements of the lower levels are satisfied and (2)
the sum of the weighted scores at that level is at least 90% of the maximum score.
The precise requirements are incorporated in a certification scheme and the audit checklists
based upon it. ProRail is the manager of this scheme. In this brochure you will find a broad
description of the certification scheme, the regulations and the glossary of terms.
You can find the audit checklists on our website.
The CO2 performance ladder and certification scheme (general)
CO2 PERFORMANCE LADDER
Certification Scheme (general)
Level
5
The company demands a CO2 emissions inventory for scope 1 and 2 in
accordance with ISO 14064-1 or equivalent from it’s A suppliers. Furthermore,
the company has, and reports upon, quantitative reduction objectives for
scope 1, 2 and 3. The monitoring of progress with regard to these objectives is
incorporated into the normal planning and control cycle. The company has
publically committed itself to a CO2 reduction programme operated by the
government or an NGO and actively participates in the setting up and
implementation of a (sector-wide) CO2 reduction programme in collaboration
with the government and/or NGO.
4
The company possesses a CO2 emissions inventory for scope 1, 2 and 3 in
accordance with ISO 14064-1 and has quantitatively-formulated reduction
objectives for this for scope 1, 2 and 3. The company reports periodically on
progress with regard to its objectives. The company maintains a dialogue with
governments and NGOs on its CO2 reduction strategy and takes the initiative
for developing projects that facilitate CO2 reduction in the sector.
3
The company reports on its scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions in accordance with
ISO 14064-1 and has quantitatively-formulated objectives for reducing these
CO2 emissions. The company communicates the above-mentioned objectives
both internally and externally and has an active role in (sector) initiatives
relating to climate change.
2
The company has an insight into its own energy consumption and has the
ambition to reduce energy consumption. In the policy relating to this ambition,
the company distinguishes between the reduction of energy consumption, the
purchase of green electricity, use of bio fuels and/or compensation. The
company communicates internally (at least) on the above-mentioned
measures and participates in a sector initiative regarding climate change.
1
The company has an insight into the most important energy flows and is
investigating opportunities for reducing energy consumption. The company
communicates on its energy reduction policy on an ad hoc basis and knows
what initiatives are underway in the sector.
0
The company has little or no insight into its own energy consumption or its
CO2 emissions and has no demonstrable ambitions to reduce CO2.
Furthermore, the company communicates neither internally nor externally on
its vision or policy regarding climate change and does not participate in any
sector initiatives in this field.
Application
Each company assesses its own CO2 performance based upon the certification scheme and
the audit checklists. Then a conformity assessment body (CAB) verifies the data on the basis
of the information submitted by the company, such as policy documents, technical reports,
management reports, minutes, annual reports, communication procedures and resources.
The CAB determines the level achieved and issues the applicable CO2 awareness
certificate. ProRail accepts all certifying institutions with NEN ISO 14065 accreditation. A
transitional arrangement is included in the glossary under CAB.
If a company submits a tender to ProRail, the company sends a copy of its certificate with the
tender. This applies for all companies that participate in a tendering procedure and that wish
to be considered for the award of a contract: from consultancy agency to construction
company.
Advantage in contract award
The level that a company has reached in the reduction of its CO2 emissions translates into an
‘award advantage’. The higher the level on the certificate, the greater is the advantage that
the company gains in the award weighting. See table below.
CO2 awareness
certificate level
5
4
3
2
1
0
Award advantage
10 %
7%
4%
2%
1%
0%
In the case of award on the basis of the “lowest price”, this award advantage means a
(fictitious) discount of 10, 7, 4, 2, 1 or 0 percent on the tender price. In the case of award on
the basis of the “most economically favourable bid” the price component in the score is
modified by the percentage of the award advantage. How precisely this is done can be seen
from ProRail’s tendering documents.
Often a co-operative association of companies participates in a tender. In such a situation the
company with the lowest score on the CO2 performance ladder sets the level for the award
advantage.
Gaining experience
We take into account the fact that companies need to have time to adjust to the new system.
Our main objective for 2009 is to gain experience with the CO2 performance ladder. Over the
years, CO2 performances will receive an increasingly heavy weighting in the consideration of
the award. In the long term it is also possible that we will use the CO2 performance ladder as
a means of selection for tenderers: only those companies that have reached a set level will be
able to participate in our tendering procedure. ProRail’s ambition is that we will ultimately no
longer need the CO2 performance ladder because all companies will have reached the
highest level.
By introducing the CO2 performance ladder, ProRail is encouraging companies to reduce their
CO2 emissions. Furthermore, we explicitly invite companies to submit proposals that would
lead to lower CO2 emissions by ProRail systems. This may, for example, take the form of an
unsolicited proposal.
Important benefits
Taking care together for less CO2 emissions offers important benefits: for us and for the
companies we work with.
ProRail is making a contribution to the (social) objectives for the long term and future
generations. By their CO2 reduction, companies also fulfil their social responsibilities in the
conduct of their business and of course increase their chances of contract award and reduce
energy consumption (and costs).
The federal government supports companies in their CO2 reduction with subsidies. The
Energie Investeringsaftrek (EIA) (Energy Investment Rebate) scheme is one such subsidy:
companies can obtain fiscal compensation for investments in energy saving and/or
sustainable energy. Furthermore, there are energy subsidies for development projects,
including the Unieke Kansen Regeling (UKR) (Unique Chance Scheme). SenterNovem
implements these schemes.
Certification
Detailed information about certification can be found on our website. This covers the following
components:
1. The audit checklists for each aspect.
A. Insight.
B. CO2 reduction.
C. Transparency.
D. Participation in initiatives.
2. The section “From checklists to certificates” including
• Conditions for certification.
• An example of the completed scoring matrix.
3. The conversion factors to be used for the conversion of energy sources and/or activity
into the quantity of CO2 emission.
Glossary of terms
A supplier
Current
Carbon footprint
Conformity Assessment
Body (CAB)
EN 16001
Energy audit
GHG protocol
ISO 14064-1
ISO 14064-3
An A supplier is a supplier that belongs the company’s largest
group of suppliers that together are responsible for at least 80%
of purchasing turnover.
Current means not older than 1 year unless the text clearly
indicates otherwise.
Synonym for CO2 footprint or CO2 emission inventory: a
measure for the emission of CO2 as a result of the use of fossil
fuels in traffic, air travel, transport, production of electricity,
heating, etc.
A conformity assessment body (CAB) is authorised by ProRail
to perform verification if this CAB has been accredited in
accordance with ISO 14065 by the RvA (Accreditation Council)
or by a member of the IAF.
As a transitional arrangement until the end of 2010 the following
are also authorised:
•
A CAB that has been accredited by the RvA in accordance
with EA-6/03.
•
A CAB that has been accredited for certification in
accordance with ISO 14001 (work premises: construction,
material and technical consultancy) and/or EMAS and
which, in the opinion of ProRail, can bring to bear sufficient
expertise to perform the above-mentioned verifications in a
reliable manner.
NEN-EN 16001 Energy management systems – Requirements
with guidance for use (draft).
An energy audit is an environmental audit with the emphasis
upon the energy aspects of the company. In order to be able to
take goal-oriented measures for the reduction of the energy
consumption and the associated costs it is necessary to acquire
an insight into the existing energy consumption, its distribution
amongst the various commercial objectives, the causes of
energy loss, et cetera. See also NEN-EN 16001.
Green House Gas protocol http://www.ghgprotocol.org/
The ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) Initiative’ was
launched in 1998 by WBSD/WRI with the twin objectives of
developing an international standard for accountability and
reporting in connection with the emission of greenhouse gases
by companies and to disseminate this standard as widely as
possible. The GHG protocol consists of two modules:
•
GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting
Standard. This document includes a step-by-step plan,
guidelines for quantifying and reporting on CO2 emissions.
•
GHG Protocol Project Quantification Standard. A guide for
measuring the results of CO2 reduction projects.
Dutch standard NEN-ISO 14064-1 (en)
Description:
•
Greenhouse gases - Part 1: Specification with guidance at
the organization level for quantification and reporting of
greenhouse gas emissions and removals
Dutch standard NEN-ISO 14064 (en)
Description:
•
Greenhouse gases -- Part 3: Specification with guidance
for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas
assertions
ISO 14065
ISO 14064, comment
Chain
Small company
NGO
Scope 1 emissions or
direct emissions
Scope 2 emissions or
indirect emissions
Scope 3 emissions or
other indirect emissions
Dutch standard NEN-ISO 14065 (en)
Description:
•
Greenhouse gases - Requirements for greenhouse gas
validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation or
other forms of recognition
Dutch standard NEN-ISO 14064 (en)
Description:
….., this part of ISO 14064 incorporates many key concepts
and requirements stated by World Business Council for
Sustainable Development / World Resources Institute
(WBSD/WRI).
Users of this part of ISO 14064 are encouraged to refer to
WBSD/WRI for additional guidance on applying relevant
concepts and requirements.
Chain is defined as a certain line of performing and purchasing
companies.
A company is small if the total CO2 emission from offices and
company premises put together is less than 500 tonnes/year
and the CO2 emissions of all construction sites and production
sites collectively is less than 2000 tonnes/year.
A non-governmental organisation (or NGO) is an organisation
that is independent of the government and that focuses in one
way or another upon a supposed social interest. In general,
these are organisations that work towards the promotion of
environmental protection, health, development work or human
rights.
Scope 1 or direct emissions are emissions by the organisation
itself, such as emissions by the company’s own gas use (e.g.
gas boilers, total energy installations and ovens) and emissions
by the company’s own fleet of lorries. See also scope diagram
below.
Scope 2 or indirect emissions are emissions that arise due to
the generation of the electricity that the organisation uses, such
as emissions by the power stations that supply this electricity.
ProRail includes “Business Travel” and “Personal Cars for
business travel” under scope 2. See also scope diagram below.
Scope 3 or other indirect emissions are emissions caused by
activities by the company’s own organisation, such as
emissions from business travel, use of taxis, paper use, waste
disposal. ProRail includes “Business Travel” and “Personal
Cars for business travel” under scope 2. See also scope
diagram below.
Scope diagram
ProRail includes ‘Business Travel’ and ‘Personal cars for business travel’ under Scope 2.
Sector
Voluntary CO2 reduction
programme
A sector is defined as the chain, including comparable
competing companies.
A programme set up by the government or NGOs. In such a
programme, organisations voluntarily commit themselves to the
reduction of CO2. Examples of such programmes are:
•
Climate Savers, WWF:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/item3799.html
•
Economy Light, Stichting Natuur en Milieu.
www.economylight.nl.
•
Climate Disclosure Project. www.cdproject.net
Regulations
and/or activity into the quantity of CO2
emissions is stated in the
“Certification” section.
Reasons should be given for any
deviations, and these should be
submitted to the CAB for checking.
These regulations state the rules for the
application of the CO2 performance ladder
and the certification scheme.
a. Determining the level on the CO2
performance ladder
A company satisfies the requirements
of a certain level if (1) the minimum
requirements for A, B, C and D of the
level in question and the requirements
of the lower levels are satisfied and (2)
the sum of the weighted scores at that
level is at least 90% of the maximum
score.
A company without a certificate is by
definition at level 0 on the ladder.
b. Determining the level on the CO2
performance ladder
• The legal person participating in
the tender, at least, belongs to the
“organizational boundary” of the
company.
• The company determines its level
on the CO2 performance ladder by
means of a self-evaluation (or
internal audit). The requirements
5A, 4C, 5C, 4D and 5D do not
apply for small companies.
Therefore these requirements are
(fictitiously) fulfilled.
• The company creates a portfolio
of the required reference
documents based upon the
conclusion of its self-evaluation.
• Then the company engages a
conformity assessment body
(CAB) to verify the determined
level – the requirements set down
in the certification scheme apply
here as standard. The verification
of the carbon footprint (level 4) is
performed in accordance with ISO
14064-3 with a “limited level of
assurance”.
• A successful verification is
concluded with a verification
report including a declaration by
the CAB.
• ProRail reserves the right to
inspect the certification (in addition
to the RvA).
c. Conversion factors
The conversion factors to be used for
the conversion of energy source
d.
conformity assessment body
(CAB)
A conformity assessment body (CAB)
that fulfils the conditions, see glossary
of terms, is authorised by ProRail as
an independent third party to perform
a verification and to issue CO2
awareness certificates.
e. Periodic evaluation and checking
after certification
A certificate has a period of validity of
3 years from the date of issue. The
certificate fulfils the requirements
described in ISO 14064-3 and clearly
describes the level on the
performance ladder achieved by the
company (including scores on the
various aspects). By means of an
annual reassessment, the CAB
checks whether the determined level
is still applicable. In a hypothetical rise
up the ladder, a company is free to
apply to the CAB for recertification at
any desired moment.
f.
Tender is substantially too high
without award advantage
ProRail will not include tenders that
without the award advantage, in the
opinion of ProRail, substantially
deviate from ProRail’s cost estimate in
the further tendering procedure.
Substantially means more than 10%
unless stated otherwise in the
tendering procedure.
g. Limit value for scope 3
Emissions arising from scope 3
sources that together make up less
than 2.5% of the total reported
emissions on an annual basis, are
exempted from reporting.
h. Combinations
If a co-operative association of
companies, a combination,
participates in a tender the award
advantage is set on the basis of the
company with the lowest score on the
CO2 performance ladder.
i.
Validity of the CO2 performance
ladder
1. The latest version of the CO2
performance ladder published by
ProRail on the internet is
applicable.
2. Exceptions to the application of
the CO2 performance ladder can
be found in the tendering
documents.
3. ProRail reserves the right to cease
the publication and application of
the CO2 performance ladder.
Further information
If you have questions or suggestions regarding the CO2 performance ladder or its application
you are welcome to contact Aanbestedingszaken, Kostenmanagement en Inkoop (AKI):
[email protected] or telephone +31 30 - 235 71 61.
For more information regarding ProRail’s sustainability policy please contact ProRail/SpO, for
the attention of Programmanager Duurzaamheid,
Postbus 2038, 3500 GA Utrecht, or telephone +31 30 - 235 52 15.
For the applicable version of this brochure and information on certification please refer to our
ProRail web page www.ProRail.nl under “Zakenpartners” and then under “Aanbesteden en
inkoop”.
The CO2 performance ladder was developed by ProRail with contributions from KPMG
Sustainability, Amstelveen and CCI (www.carbon-constraint-initiatives.com), Antwerp
Visiting address
Moreelsepark 3
3511 EP Utrecht
+31 30 235 3922
Postal address
Postbus 2038
3500 GA Utrecht
www.prorail.nl